# US 10,767,351 B2 · Plumbing fixtures

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,767,351 B2
- Document ID: US10767351B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/318,920
- Filed: 2017-07-04
- Published: 2019-06-20
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-21
- Assignees: Kohler Mira Limited
- Applicants: Kohler Mira Limited
- Inventors: Toby Risbey; Karl Fearnley; Ben Lea
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767351B2

## CPC

- E03C 1/02: Plumbing installations for fresh water
- E03C 1/021: {Devices for positioning or connecting of water supply lines (connection to the tap body E03C1/0403)}
- E03C 1/042: Arrangements on taps for wash-basins or baths for connecting to the wall
- F16K 19/006: {Specially adapted for faucets}
- F16L 27/087: Joints with radial fluid passages
- E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A mixer valve (1) having a body (2) and adapted to be connected to two fluid supplies. The mixer valve (1) has at least one connector (6) comprising a housing (8); a fluid delivery tube (10) within the housing, the fluid delivery tube (10) having at least one aperture (22); a slider (16) arranged around and slideable over the delivery tube (10) and having an interior chamber (18) in fluid communication with an interior (20) of the delivery tube by means of the at least one aperture (22); and a fluid inlet (14) connected to the slider (16) at an angle thereto, the fluid inlet (14) being connectable to a fluid supply pipe. The fluid inlet (14) is in fluid communication with the chamber (18), and the housing (8) has an external opening (12) within which the fluid inlet (14) is located and movable.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mixer valve adapted to be connected to two fluid supplies and having at least one connector comprising:
a housing;
a fluid delivery tube within the housing, the fluid delivery tube having at least one aperture extending partially around a circumference of the fluid delivery tube;
a slider arranged around, and slideable over, the delivery tube, the slider having an interior chamber in fluid communication with an interior of the delivery tube by the at least one aperture; and
a fluid inlet connected to the slider at an angle thereto, the fluid inlet being connectable to a fluid supply pipe and in fluid communication with the chamber;
wherein the housing has an external opening within which the fluid inlet is located and movable.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mixer valve of claim 1, wherein the slider comprises a generally cylindrical body having a port which is arranged to connect to the fluid inlet.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The mixer valve of claim 2, wherein the interior chamber is formed between an interior surface of the cylindrical body and an exterior surface of the fluid delivery tube.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The mixer valve of claim 3, wherein the slider further comprises inner and outer seals arranged to make a sealing connection between the body of the slider and the exterior surface of the fluid delivery tube.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The mixer valve of claim 2, wherein the fluid inlet is connected to the slider at substantially 90° at the port.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The mixer valve of claim 1, wherein the connection between the fluid inlet and the port is arranged to prevent rotation of the fluid inlet relative to the slider.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The mixer valve of claim 1, wherein a fluid seal is provided around a joint between the fluid inlet and the slider.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The mixer valve of claim 1, wherein the external opening in the housing is arranged to extend a distance such that the fluid inlet can move freely within the opening between a maximum and a minimum adjustment.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The mixer valve of claim 1, wherein the delivery tube comprises a coupling portion adapted to be connectable to the mixer valve.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The mixer valve of claim 9, wherein the coupling portion is configured to allow 360° rotation of the connector relative to the mixer valve.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The mixer valve of claim 1, further comprising a filter within the fluid delivery tube.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The mixer valve of claim 1, wherein the slider is pressure balanced.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The mixer valve of claim 1, wherein the mixer valve comprises two ports each having an adjustable connector.